Peeing or Leaking During Sex--Is that Normal?
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Is urinating during sex common? Actually, it is. According to EmbarrassingProblems.com, about two-thirds of women experience leakage when the penis enters the vagina. In about one-third, leakage occurs only at orgasm.
This leakage is called stress incontinence. PubMed Health defined stress incontinence as an involuntary loss of urine that occurs during physical activity, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise. That physical activity includes sex. Sexual activity can put added pressure on the abdomen which in turn can cause urine leakage.
In a SheKnows.com article, Dr. Prudence Hall of the Hall Health and Longevity Center explained why woman might release a little urine during orgasm. "The urinary bladder sits right on top of the uterus, so when it contracts during an orgasm, the bladder is also squeezed a bit, releasing some urine."
In a WebMD.com article, Beverly Whipple, PhD, RN, professor emerita at Rutgers and a sexuality researcher said the problem, whether the incontinence occurs during exercise or sex, has a common denominator.
"Stress incontinence is related to the strength of the pelvic floor muscles," Whipple said. The weaker those muscles are, the more likely you are to have symptoms of stress incontinence -- leaking urine during physical activity, such as exercise, sex, sneezing, laughing or jumping--in the absence of bladder contraction.”
There are ways to reduce leakage during sexual activity. Having strong pelvic floor muscles can do the trick. One way to get stronger is by doing Kegel exercises. These are simply holding and releasing muscles as when stopping the flow of urine. Talk with a health care provider to make sure they’re done correctly.
Other ways to stop stress incontinence during sex is to use vaginal weights while doing Kegels. Or try a pessary. Inserted in the vagina, it helps elevate the bladder neck and keep urine from leaking.
Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake. Empty the bladder and avoid fluids for an hour before sex. Certain positions like woman on top, rear entry or side intercourse help relieve incontinence during sex.
Medication can help tighten the bladder neck and urethra muscles.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment3 Comments
I was suffering from the same problem. First of all I tried doing some pelvic floor exercises, which did help but the improvement wasn't dramatic. In the end I got a kegel8 and eventually saw dramatic results - much to my relief!!
June 9, 2011 - 9:12amThis Comment
It is also possible that what you are experiencing is female ejaculation. Many women experience a rush of fluid when they orgasm that is NOT urine.
June 9, 2011 - 2:45pmTHANK YOU! I love my wife's orgasmic squirting..PLEASE don't make women feel ashamed to orgasm by telling them all they are urinating on their partners!
June 14, 2011 - 12:20pm